It's a 17th-century British tale of a young, orphaned boy who has great things in store for him as far as his culinary talents go. I'm about halfway through so I couldn't even give the whole thing away if I tried, but I will say that it has elements of some of my favorite stories: recipes that close each chapter, as in Like Water for Chocolate; an "anyone can cook" attitude, as in Ratatouille; an upstairs/downstairs drama in the large manor that employs the main character in its kitchens, as in Downton Abbey; and an eerie, crazy townspeople element that reminds me of The Crucible. Also, it includes gorgeous illustrations: